Apparatus and method for producing a reinforced container



June 11, 1963 H. e. GENTRY EFAL 3,093,035

APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR PRODUCING A REINFORCED CONTAINER Filed Aug. 14,1961 15 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTORS Hermozzd G Gen zry, BY Edmund Radzu zs,

Charles IF ItTlEdE A ORNE).

June 11, 1963 H. G. GENTRY ETAL 3,093,035

APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR PRODUCING A REINFORCED CONTAINER Filed Aug. 14,1961 15 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN V EN TORS HEJJYIOJZd 6 Gen irg, Edmund R 1 BYCharles J Fartrlede ATTORNEY June 11, 1963 H. G. GENTRY ETAL 3,093,035

APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR PRODUCING A REINFORCED CONTAINER Filed Aug. 14,1961 15 Sheets-Sheet 3 I INVENTORS' Hermond G. Gezzry,

Edmund Radzugs, BY Charles JTFo zuede AT TOR/VB! June 11, 1963 GENTRYETAL 3,093,035

APPARATUS AND METHQD FOR PRODUCING A REINFORCED CONTAINER Filed Aug. 14,1961 15 Sheets-Sheet 4 I N VEN TORS' Hermozzd G Gen try,

Edmund Ra'dzins,

Charles Jib l'ede ATTORNEY:

June 11, 1963 H. e. GENTRY EI'AL 3,093,035

APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR PRODUCING A REINFORCED CONTAINER Filed Aug. 14,1961 15 Sheets-Sheet 5 IN VEN TORS Hermand G Gentry,

Edmund BY Charles J Fa rz'ede g: \z. 2.;

ATTO EX June 11, 1963 H. G. GENTRY ETAL 3,093,035

APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR PRODUCING A REINFORCED CONTAINER Filed Aug. 14,1961 15 Sheets-Sheet 6 INVENTORS Harm andG Gen try, BY Edmund Rddzins,

x Charles IF triede 1 I r .r \I' N ATTORNEY:

June 1963 H. e. GENTRY EI'AL APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR PRODUCING AREINFORCED CONTAINER l5 Sheets-Sheet 7 Filed Aug. 14, 1961 Y wi Mfim m1| MdvfiRfl 1 um w l u m mm r m. mz V Y B 9Q a P m3 3 J Q June 11, 1963H. G. GENTRY ETAL 3,093,035

APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR PRODUCING A REINFORCED CONTAINER OO O INVENTORSKern and G 6611 try, Edmund Radz ins, Charles J? For tzu' Ede BY \jATTORNEY June 11, 1963 H. ca. GENTRY ETIAL 3,093,035

APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR PRODUCING A REINFORCED CONTAINER Filed Aug. 14,1961 15 Sheets-Sheet 9 IN VEN TORS Hermand G Gently,

Edmund Kadzz' 611M165 J artrifd BY wwlbd, ATTORNEY June 1 1, 1963APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR PRODUCING A REINFORCED CONTAINER Filed Aug. 14,1961 H. G. GENTRY ETAL 3,093,035

Sheets-Sheet 10 5/ [52 0 o |T Q @1 51 i o z $5; m

/59 T I 55 5 Y /605 INVENTORS Hermond GGEnt ry, Edmund Radznzs,

BY 611M163 Fartriede \2, 12ml. ATTORNEY June 11, 1963 H. G. GENTRY EI'AL3,093,035

APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR PRODUCING A REINFORCED CONTAINER Filed Aug. 14,1961 15 Sheets-Sheet 11 l l g f 44 F" [47 N INVENTORS o Hem ond. Gentry,

Charles J trlede 28 ATTORNEY.

June 1 1, 1963 H. G. GENTRY ET AL 3,093,035

APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR PRODUCING A REINFORCED CONTAINER Filed Aug. 14,1961 15 Sheets-Sheet 12 I55 O o O o O /44 /45 00 OO 7 Hi I i j 4 47 IHKIH 52 K m3 g INVENTORS Hermond G. G n try, Fl ji BY Charles JIFtrz'ede ATTORNEY June 11, 1963 H. G. GENTRY EAL 3,093,035

APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR PRODUCING A REINFORCED CONTAINER Filed Aug. 14,1961 15 Sheets-Sheet 13 l I 1 l INVENTORS N? Hermond G1 Gentry, N N L'dmand .Radzz'z zs,

Charles J'Fartnede A'ITORNEY June 11, 1963 H. G. GENTRY El'AL 3,093,035

APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR PRODUCING A REINFORCED CONTAINER Filed Aug. 14,1961 15 Sheets-Sheet 15 e m gm wwmfi m i W ImwdJ 3 m w W \3 a Y B @N MkSN QN 9Q QM ATTORNEY.

United States Patent APPARATUS AND IVETHOD FUR PRODUQING A REINFQRCEDCONTAINER Hermond G. Gentry, Atlanta, Ga., Edmund Radzins, SheboyganFalls, Wis, and Charles J. Fortriede, Cold Springs, Ky., assignors toThe Mead @orporatiou, Dayton, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Filed Aug. 14,1961, Ser. No. 131,233 14 Claims. (Cl. 93-441) This invention relates toan improved method and apparatus for forming an erected carton from aflat blank. More particularly, this invention relates to an improvedmethod and apparatus for mechanically and continuously forming erectedcartons from a supply of fiat carton blanks.

Generally, this invention provides an improved method and apparatus forforming an erected carton from a suitably cut and scored carton blankcomprising a series of connected side wall means which includes sidepanels and terminal panels. The innermost full panel of the side wallmeans is foldably connected to a series of inner side wall means by abottom panel, inner side wall means including a suitable number of fullpanels which may, if desired, include opposed terminal panels. Moreover,the bottom panels may be connected to the side wall means. And, ifdesired, suitable closure flaps may be connected to the side wall meansfor selectively closing the carton.

The method and apparatus of a preferred embodiment of this inventionerects the carton from the above described blank in such a way that theinner side wall means is folded to form four inner side walls with theouter side wall means disposed thereabout to provide a double walledcontainer, the bottom panels being disposed in stacked relation toprovide a triple bottom thereof.

Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide an improvedapparatus for automatically forming an erected carton from a flat blankwhich has been scored, slitted, slotted and/or perforated to a suitablydesigned pattern.

It is another object to provide an improved method for forming such anerected carton.

Other objects, uses and advantages will become apparent from a readingof the following specification, taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings forming a part thereof and wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a schematic, perspective view illustrating the apparatus ofthis invention;

FIGURE 2 is a top View of the apparatus illustrated in FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a side elevation view of the apparatus illustrated in FIGURE1;

FIGURES 415 are respectively, fragmentary perspective viewsschematically illustrating the various steps in the sequence ofoperation of the apparatus of FIGURE 1 in forming an erected carton froma carton blank;

FIGURE 16 is a perspective view illustrating the erected carton formedby this apparatus and invention;

FIGURES 17-19 are respectively, perspective views illustrating themanner of closing the erected carton illustrated in FIGURE 16;

FIGURES 20A and 203 respectively illustrate the two halves of theapparatus of FIGURE 1, and when assembled together, depict the apparatusof FIGURE 1 in an enlarged side elevational view thereof;

FIGURE 21 is an axial cross-sectional view of a portion of the apparatusof FIGURE 2 and is taken on line 21-21 thereof;

FIGURE 22 is a fragmentary view, partially broken away, illustrating amandrel and a clamping device of the apparatus illustrated in FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 23 is an end view of the mandrel illustrated in FIGURE 22;

FIGURE 24 is a view similar to FIGURE 23 and illustrates certain of thefolding apparatus of this invention;

FIGURE 25 is a fragmentary, side view of the mandrel and illustrates thefolding apparatus illustrated in FIG- URE 24;

FIGURE 26 is a fragmentary View illustrating the pneumatic andelectrical connections to the mandrel;

FIGURE 27 is an axial, fragmentary, cross-sectional view illustratingthe power means for rotating the mandrel;

FIGURE 28 is a view taken on line 2828 of FIG- URE 27;

FIGURE 29 is a partial view illustrating a folding and clamping deviceof the apparatus illustrated in FIG- URE 1;

FIGURE 30 is an end view of the folding and clamping device illustratedin FIGURE 29;

FIGURE 31 is a fragmentary, cross-sectional view i1- lustrting stillanother of the folding and clamping devices illustrated in FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 32 is an end view of the folding and clamping device illustratedin FIGURE 31;

FIGURE 33 is a schematic diagram, illustrating the electrical circuitfor controlling certain of the operating parts of the apparatus ofFIGURE 1;

FIGURE 34- is another schematic wiring diagram, illustrating theelectrical circuit for operating still other of the operating parts ofthe apparatus of FIGURE 1; and,

FIGURE 35 is a schematic diagram illustrating the pneumatic system ofthe apparatus of FIGURE 1.

The apparatus of this invention is generally indicated in FIGURES 1, 2,3, 20A and 20B by reference numeral and comprises a feeding unit 41, agluing unit 42, a folding unit 43 and a glue setting unit 44. Cartonblanks are fed by feeding unit 41 to gluing unit 42 wherein adhesive isapplied to selected areas of blank 45 and then blank 45 is fed tofolding unit 43 wherein blank 45 is folded to form an erected carton asindicated by reference numeral 46, FIGURE 16. Thereafter, erected carton46 is clamped and discharged to pass through glue or adhesive settingunit 44 to permit a continuation of the setting of the adhesive andmaintain carton 46 in its erected form as illustrated in FIGURE 16'.

While the particular carton blank 45 and carton 46 do not form part ofthe subject matter of this invention, the same do form the subjectmatter of a co-pending patent application, Serial No. 843,498, filedSeptember 30, 1959. However, sufficient details of carton blank 45 andcarton 46 will be hereinafter described in order to adequately describethe method and apparatus of this invention.

In particular, carton blank 45, FIGURE 4, may be formed of any suitablepaper board product and is suitably cut and scored to define a series 47of foldably connected outer side wall means which include three innerfull panels 48, 49 and 5t} and two terminal part panels 51 and 52. Asecond series 53 of foldably connected inner side wall means, whichincludes three inner full panels 54, 55 and 56 and two terminal partpanels 57 and 58 is foldably connected to series 47 by an outside bottompanel 59 respectively foldably connected to full panels 49 and 55. Apair of inner bottom panels 60 and 61 are respectively foldablyconnectedto panels 54 and 56. If desired, suitable closure flaps 62, 63, 64, '65and 66 are respectively foldably connected to series 47 of panels 51,48, 49, 5t) and 52.

As illustrated in FIGURES 4-15, each carton blank 45 is folded toerected form 46 illustrated in FIGURE 16 in the following steps.

As illustrated in FIGURE 4, blank 45 is fed to machine 40 by feedingunit 4-1 wherein the leading edge of series 53 of panels 57-58 is fedbetween rotatable shafts 67 and 63 carrying a plurality of knurled rolls69 forming nips when shaft 68 is pivoted downwardly toward shaft 67 by apneumatic bellows or piston and cylinder arrangement 70 in a mannerhereinafter described. As blank 45 is advanced to the right by shafts 67and 68, an adhesive applying roller 71, FIGURE 5, is lowered at theproper time by pneumatic means 72 to apply adhesive to the series 47 ofouter side panels 48-52 in the manner illustrated in FIGURE 5.

Subsequently, carton blank 45 is advanced below a' substantiallyrectangular mandrel 73, FIGURE 6, carried by machine 46, panel 55 ofblank 45 being disposed against one of the fiat sides 74 of mandrel 73.When blank 4-5 is so advanced relative to mandrel 73, further movementof blank 45 to the right is terminated as same has passed beyond shafts67 and 6S.

Thereafter, folding means 75 and 76, FIGURE 7, fold panels 56 and 54respectively against fiat sides 77 and 78 of mandrel 73 and terminalpart panels 57 and 58 about fiat side 79 of mandrel 73 in the mannerillustrated in FIGURE 7.

As illustrated in FIGURE 8, clamp means 811 then clamps terminal partpanels 57 and 58 flat against side 79 of mandrel 73 whereby panels 54-58form four sides of the inner liner of carton 46.

Opposed folding means 82 and 31, FIGURE 9, are operated in sequence torespectively fold inner bottom panels 61 and 69 into stacked relationagainst flat end 83 of mandrel 73 in the manner illustrated in FIGURE 9.

Mandrel 73 is then moved through an arc by machine 40 in amannerhereinafter described whereby blank 45 under the continued clam-pingaction of clamping means 80 is carried-through a curved trough definingmeans 84, FIGURES and I1, to fold outer bottom panel 59 against thestacked inner bottom panels 60 and 61, full panel '49 against terminalpart panels 57 and 58, and full panels 48 and 50 about full panels 54and 56 in the manner illustrated in FIGURE 12.

Simultaneously, clamping means 80 is released while folding means 85,FIGURE 13, maintains full panel 49 of series 47 of outer side Wall meansflat against terminal part panels 57 and 58 of series 53 ofinner sidewall means to partially clamp and true-up carton 46.

Opposed holding means 86 and 87, FIGURE 14, then complete the folding ofside panels 43 and 50, fold part panels 51 and 52 of outer side wallmeans flat against full panel 55 of inner side wall means to completethe forming of carton 46.

Folding means 85, 86 and 87 at the conclusion of the folding action,squeeze series 47 of outer side wall panels simultaneously againstseries 53 of inner side wall panels,

' thereby adhering the two series together and structurallystrengthening the side walls.

As illustrated in FIGURE 15, mandrel 73 has ejectors 88 which forcecompleted carton 46 axially therefrom into adhesive setting unit 44which includes two spaced continuous top and bottom belts -89 and 99adapted to maintain carton 46 in its. erected position while the sametravelstherebetween a suflicient length of time to permit the adhesiveto set and maintain carton 46 in its erected position. If desired,compression may also be applied to the remaining glued surfaces of thecarton by similar means.

Therefore, it can be seen that machine 46 forms a completed carton 46from a flat carton blank 45 in a simple and effective manner.

The details of machine 40 will now be described.

Feeding Un it upwardly as blanks 45 are serially taken from the top ofthe stack and fed to machine 40, hydraulic or pneumatic lift table 91being operated by suitable hydraulic or pneumatic means in a manner wellknown in the art.

A pair of frame means 92 and 93 is suitably carried by support means 94of machine 40 and has extensions 95 and '96 extending respectivelytherefrom away from machine 46. Each extension 95 and 96 carries a pairof spaced parallel guide arms '97 and 98 defining a channel 99therebetween. A slidable arm 100 carries rollers 109a which are mountedin each of the guide channels 99 and is secured to a bracket 101pivotally attached to one end of a link 102 having the other end thereofpivotally secured to a link 1113 carried by a rotatable shaft 104, shaft164 being rotatably carried by frame means 92 and 93 in the mannerillustrated in FIGURE 1.

Guide arms 98 each have afiixed thereto vertically extending cam member105 provided with an arcuate cam surface 166.

The guide bar or link 160 has a pair of links 107 and 168 respectivelypivotally secured thereto at one end thereof and pivotally secured atthe other ends thereof to a bar 169, the opposed bars 109 carrying atransverse support bar 119 therebetween.

The transverse bar 110 carries a plurality of downwardly extendingsuction cup-like members 111 suitably interconnected to a vacuum pump112, FIGURE 33, whereby a vacuum source may be connected to the cuplikemembers 111 when desired to hold top blank 45 of the stack thereof totransverse bar 119 in a manner hereinafter described.

Shaft 164, FIGURE 21, carries a gear 113 having teeth 114 and smoothconcave lands 115 disposed in a predetermined pattern about the outerperiphery thereof, gear 113 being adapted to mesh with a larger gear.116 having teeth 117 and smooth convex lands 118 suitably spaced aboutthe outer periphery thereof in a predetermined pattern. Gear 116 iscarried by a rotatable shaft .119 rotatably carried by frame means '92and 93. Shaft 119 also carries a gear 121) disposed in meshing relationwith a gear 121 carried by rotatable shaft 122, shaft 122 carrying asprocket 123, FIGURE 20A.

A drive motor 124, FIGURE 20A, is interconnected to a synchronized motor125 carrying a sprocket 126 which is interconnected to a sprocket 127 bya drive chain 128, the sprocket 127 being carried by a shaft 129.Another sprocket, not shown, is carried by shaft 129 and isinterconnected to sprocket 123 by a drive chain 130.

The operation of feeding unit 41 will now be described.

Assuming that machine 41 is in the position illustrated in FIGURE 21,and it is desired to advance a blank 45 t0 the machine 46, thesynchronizer motor 125 is operated to rotate gear 113 through theprevious gear train and drive chain connections previously described.Simultaneously, vacuum source 112- is interconnected to the cuplikemembers 111 whereby top blank 45 of the stack is held by the cuplikemembers 111. As the gear 113 rotates, the link 16-2 is advanced to theright as illustrated in the drawings and carries the bracket 191therewith. Thus, guide bars 109 are moved to the left on rollers athereof in guide channels 99. As the guide bars 1% are moved to theright in guide channels 99, the bars 169 are raised vertically upwardlyby springs 131 intercon nected thereto at one end thereof and to theguide bar 160 at the other end thereof, bars 169 carrying roller cams132 which ride against the vertically depending cams of the guide arms98.

surface 106 thereof, the top blank 45 has been raised from the stack andfurther movement of the guide bar 160 to the right causes the bar 169 toalso be moved to the right. Blank 45 carried by suction cups 111 is thusfed between the shafts 67 and 68, the shaft 6% being lowered by thepneurnatic means 7'0 in a manner hereinafter described.

Thus, blank 45 is gripped by rolls 69, FIGURE 4, and

When the Cams 132' have reached a point on guide arms 93 at the arcuate'advanced to the right through machine 40 in a manner hereinafterdescribed.

Further rotation of the gear 113 returns suction cups 111 to theposition illustrated in FIGURE 21 whereby another blank can then be fedto the machine 41) in the above manner.

Adhesive Applying Unit The adhesive applying unit 42, FIGURE 21,includes a suitable reservoir 133 secured between frame means 92 and 93and contains a supply of suitable adhesive. A pickup roll 134 isdisposed in the reservoir 133 and is disposed in engagement with anadhesive pick-off roll 135, the rolls 134 and 135 being rotated by gluemotor 136, FIGURE 33, through suitable interconnecting drive mechanism,not shown, in a manner well known in the art.

The adhesive applicator roll 71, FIGURE 5, is movable between twopositions by pneumatic means 72 previously described, the adhesiveapplying roll 71 when in the up position receiving adhesive fromadhesive pickoff roll 135 and when in the down position applying thesame to the series 47 of outer side panel means in the manner previouslydescribed. If desired, the adhesive applying roll 71 may be rotated in areverse direction than that from which the same would rotate if it wererotated solely by movement of the blank 45. Also, adhesive roll 71 maybe free wheel ng, if desired. A suitable back-up roll 137 is carried bythe frame means 92 and 93.

The operation of the adhesive applying unit will now be described.

After the blank 45 is fed between the shafts 67 and 63 in the mannerpreviously described by the feeding unit 41, the adhesive applying roll71 is disposed in engagement with adhesive pick-off roll 135 whereby thesame is covered with adhesive from the reservoir 133. At the propertime, pneumatic means '72 lowers the adhesive applying roll 71 againstthe blank 45 as the same passes over the backing roll 137 to applyadhesive to just the area defined by the series 47 of the outer sidewall means. As the blank passes further between backing roll 137 and theadhesive applying roll 71, the pneumatic means 72 raises the adhesiveapplying roll 71 to its up postion to receive a new supply of adhesivefor applying the same to a subsequent blank 45 passed through themachine 49.

Folding Unit The folding unit 43 of the machine 411 includes a pair ofopposed substantially rectangular mandrel members 73 and 73a, FIGURES A,20B and 22, carried on a longitudinal support member :133 centrallypivoted to machine 49 by shaft 139, the shaft 139 being rotatablycarried by brackets 140 secured to'frame means 141 carried by thesupport means 94 of the machine 49.

The shaft 139 carries a gear 142 which meshes with a larger gear 143carried by a shaft 144, FIGURE 27, suitably journalled in an indexinggear unit 145.

The indexing gear unit 145, FIGURES 27 and 28, includes a rotatablemember 1% carried on a shaft 147 interconnected to the drive motor 124by a suitable coupling 143. The rotatable member 146 has a helicallydisposed cam surface or thread 149 which meshes with rollers 15:)circumferentially disposed about and carried by the shaft 144. Thethread or cam surface 149 of the rotatable cam member 146 is soconstructed and arranged that the same drives the gear 143 of the shaft144 through varying speeds such as in a Geneva movement.

When the drive motor 124 is operating, the same rotates gear 143 throughindexing unit 145 whereby the support means 138 carrying mandrels 73 and73a is rotated through an arc of 180 to reverse the position of mandrels73 and 73a for a purpose hereinafter described. Further movement of thegear 143 again reverses the position of the mandrels 73 and 73a to theiroriginal positions.

In order to align the mandrels 73 and 73a in the position illustrated inFIGURES 20A and 2013, Whether or not mandrels 73 and 73a are reversed, apneumatic memher or a piston and cylinder arrangement 151, FIGURE 23,carried by frame means of the machine 40 is adapted to advance a plunger152 thereof, FIGURE 24, into an opening 153 formed in the support means133 carrying mandrels 73 and 73a, openings 153 and 153a being formed inthe support means 133 on each side of the rotatable shaft 139. Thus,after mandrels 73 and 73:: have been advanced through arcs of 180, thepneumatic means 151 will align the same in the proper position byadvancing the plunger 152 into the respective opening 153 or 153a andthereafter retract the plunger 152 therefrom.

As illustrated in FIGURES 20A, 24 and 25, the opposed folding means 75and 76 each comprises a pneumatic device 154a or 1154b carrying a shaft155 which is rotated in one direction, but which may be rotated in theother direction, when the pneumatic means 154a or 15% is operated insuch other direction. A shaft 155 is rotatably secured to a horizontalbrace 156, FIGURE 25, which is, in turn, secured to vertical supports141 of the machine 419, the shaft 155 being rotatably carried bybrackets 157 secured to horizontal braces 156 in the manner illustratedin FIGURE 25. A folding arm 158 is carried on the end of each shaft 155,the arms 158 being so constructed and arranged that the same aredisposed against the respective flat sides 77 and 73 of either mandrel73 or 73a, when mandrel 73 or 73a is in the position illustrated inFIGURES 24 and 25.

Each folding arm 158 carries an outwardly extending roller means 159which is adapted to be moved over the side 7? of mandrel '73 or 73a whenthe arms 158 are in their raised position.

Folding means 81 and 32 are respectively carried by the arms 158 offolding means 76 and 75 in the manner illustrated in FIGURES 20A, 24 and25. Each folding means 81 and 82 comprises a pneumatic means 160 or1611a secured to arm 153 by bracket 161. Piston 162 of the pneumaticmeans 160 or 160a carries a plate or arm 2163 which is adapted to beadvanced parallel to the flat end 83 of mandrel 73 or 73a when the arms15% are in their raised position.

The operation of folding units 75, 76, 81 and 82. will now be described.

As previously stated, after carton blank 45 has been advanced to theposition illustrated in FIGURE 6, pneumatic means 154a and 154b, seeFIGURE 24, are actuated to rotate shafts 155, and thus, pivot arms 158upwardly against sides 77 and 7 8 of the respective mandrel 73 or 73adisposed in the position illustrated in the drawings, the arms 15Scarrying therewith the full panels 56 and 54 and disposing the same fiatagainst the sides 77 and 78 of mandrel 73 or 73a. Roller means 159carried by the arms 158 engages terminal part panels 57 and 58 of blank45 and causes the same to be folded toward each other in the mannerillustrated in FIGURE 7. Subsequently, pneumatic means 160 of foldingmeans 82 is operated to its extended position to fold inner bottom panel61 fiat against flat end 83 of mandrel 73 or 73a. Thereafter, pneumaticmeans 160a of folding means 81 is operated, when in the raised position,to fold inner bottom panel 61? fiat against folded inner bottom panel 61in the manner illustrated in FIGURE 9.

After folding means 75, 7 6, 81 and 82 have been operated in the abovemanner, the same are retracted and returned to the position illustratedin FIGURES 20A and 24.

To assist in initial positioning of the carton blank in the machine withpanel 55 positioned under the mandrel 73, and to hold said panel firmlypressed against the mandrel during the folding operations previouslydescribed, there is rotatably mounted on each of the shafts 155 aforwardly and horizontally extending bar 155a. Each bar 155a is taperedat 155b to facilitate insertion of the blank between the bar 155a andthe lower face of the mandrel 73.

' Each bar 155a is connected by a radial extension 155s to a supportingsleeve 155d rotatably mounted on shaft 155 (FIGURE 25). A coil spring155e positioned around each shaft 155 has its ends engaging sleeve 155dand adjacent stationary structure (as shown) to yieldably urge said bars155a upwardly against the panel 55 to clamp it against the mandrel 73.The springs 155e permit the bars 155a to be automatically swung in thedirection in dicated by the arrows of FIGURE 24 to permit the mandrel topush them out of the way so as to be able to move downwardlytherebetween, as will hereinafter be more fully described.

Each mandrel 73 or 73:; carries a folding means 89 or 89a, FIGURE 22,which comprises a pneumatic means 154a or 16% pivotally secured tosupport means 138 by a bracket 165. A piston 166 of pneumatic means 164aor 16% carries a head 167 having a finger 167a extending therefrom, thehead being secured to the respective mandrel 73 or 73a by a link 1658,see FIGURE 22, the link 168 being pivotally secured at one end thereofto its respective mandrel 73 or 73a and being pivotally secured to thehead 167 at the other end thereof.

As illustrated in the right hand side of FIGURE 22, the folding meansSim thereof is disposed in its retracted position. However, whenpneumatic means 164:; or 164i; is operated in one direction thereof, thesame causes piston 166 to be advanced outwardly whereby link 1458 causesthe head 167 to be moved through an arcuate path before same is in theposition illustrated in the left hand mandrel 73 of the drawing inFIGURE 22 and is disposed substantially fiat against the side 79 ofmandrel 73.

The operation of folding means 811 and 89a will now be described.

As illustrated in FIGURE 8, after terminal part panels 57 and 58 ofblank 45 have been bent to the position illustrated in FIGURE 7 by theroller means 159 of folding means 75 and 76, the respective foldingmeans 8%) is actuated whereby shaft 166 is extended to cause the head167 to move through an arcuate path and thus fold the terminal partpanels 57 and 58 flat against the side 79 of the respective mandrel 73.

Holding means 81) remains in this extended position throughout themovement of mandrel 73 through its arc of 180 until the same isretracted just before the folding means 85 (FIGURES 13 and Q9) are inoperation in the manner hereinafter described.

The ejector means 88, see FIGURES l and 22, of each of the mandrels 73and 73a includes a plurality of plungers 169 disposed inside therespective mandrel 73 or 73a and reciprocally mounted in apertures 176formed in the flat end 8 3 of its respective mandrel 73 or 73a. Theplungers 169 are carried by a plate 171 which is attached to a piston172 of a pneumatic cylinder and piston arrangement 173a or 1735, thearrangement 173a, or 1735b being interconnected to support means 138 asshown at 174.

When it is desired to eject a completed carton 46 from a mandrel 73 or73a, when the mandrel 73 orr73a is disposed in the right hand positionillustrated in FIGURE 20B, the pneumatic hydraulic cylinder and pistonarrangement 173a or 17319 of that particular mandrel 73 or 73a isactuated whereby the piston 172 thereof causes the plate 171 and, thus,the plungers to move to the right to force carton 46 into the adhesivesetting unit 44, FIG- URE 1.

Trough defining means 84, FIGURE 10, includes a suitably curved bottommember 175 leading from gluing unit 42 and passing first downwardly andthence upwardly toward the adhesive setting unit 44.

A pair of side members 176, FIGURES l0 and 20A, is carried by machineliland have outwardly flared ends 177 adjacent the gluing unit 42 andsubstantially parallel ends 17 8 adjacent the adhesive setting unit 44.As illustrated in FIGURES l0 and 11, as mandrel 73 or 73a begins itsmovement through the trough defining unit 84, the outwardly flared ends177 of members 176 begin the initial folding of outer side wall means 47of blank 45 and continue to fold panels 43 and 5% thereof at right"angles relative to panel 49 thereof when mandrel 73 or 7 3a reaches theposition illustrated in FIGURE 20B. Similarly, curved bottom member ofthe trough defining means 34 causes the outside bottom panel 59 to bedisposed against the stacked inner bottom panels 60 and 6-1 and panel 49to be disposed against part panels 57 and 58, FIGURE '10.

Folding means 85, illustrated in FIGURE 13, is shown in greater detailin FIGURES 29 and 30 and comprises a rotary cylinder and pistonarrangement 179 carrying a shaft 13% disposed adjacent fiat end 83 ofmandrel 73 or 73a, when mandrel 73 or 73a is disposed in the positionillustrated in FIGURES 29 and 30. When the arrangement 179 is operatedin a particular direction, the shaft 180 is rotated in a particulardirection and rotates an arm 131 carrying a plurality of rollers 182upwardly against mandrel 73 or 73a to hold panel 49 against part panels57 and 58 in the manner illustrated in dotted lines in FIGURE 29.

When the carton 46 is ejected from mandrel 73 or 73a, the arm 13d is inthe upper position whereby carton 46 is adapted to roll on rollers 182and be ejected toward the adhesive setting unit 44.

Folding means 36 and 37, FIGURE 14, are shown in greater detail inFIGURES 31 and 32 and each includes a housing 183 slidably carrying aplurality of rods 184 having rollers 185 on the outer ends thereof, therods 184 being carried by plate member 186 interconnected to a piston187 of pneumatic cylinder and piston arrangement 18hr; or 18812 ofhousing 183.

When arrangement 188a or 1881) is actuated, it forces rollers 185 towardmandrel 73 or 73a when disposed in the 7 position illustrated in FIGURE20B, whereby rollers 185 thereof fold part panels 51 and 52 flat againstpanel 55 in the manner illustrated in FIGURE 14.

When the completed carton 46 is ejected from the mandrel 73 or 73a,rollers 185 are disposed in the in, ward position whereby carton 46 isadapted to be moved relative thereto to adhesive setting unit 44.

Adhesive Setting Unit The adhesive setting unit is best illustrated inFIGURE 20B and comprises frame means189 carried on a vertical post 199secured to supportmeans 94 of machine 49.

As previously stated, the adhesive setting unit 44 includes a pair ofcontinuous conveyor belts '89 and 90 respectively passing over rollers191, 192 and 193, 194.

Rollers 191 and 193 are rotated by a drive chain 195 driven by asprocket 196, the sprocket 196 being driven by a drive chain 197 in turndriven by a sprocket 193. The sprocket 198 is driven by a suitable motor199. In this manner, belts 89 and 90am driven in the proper direction tomove ejected carton 46 from the left to the right as viewed in FIGURE20B. I

A plurality of rollers 200 is carried by links 201 secured to framemeans 189, the rollers 20!) tending to urge conveyor belts 89 and 9%into engagement with cart-on 46 as the same passes therebetween tofirmly hold the various panels in proper position while the adhesivesets.

Frame means 189 also carries a plurality of side rollers 202 to hold therespective side of carton 46 in the proper position as the same passestherethrough.

If desired, setting unit 44 may be supplemented with an additionaladhesive setting unit 263, FIGURES 2 and 3, the unit 203 beingconstructed similarly to unit 44 and comprising two continuous conveyors2G4 and 205 between which the completed carton 46 passes before the sameis utilized to receive the contents thereof. a

As illustrated in FIGURES 17-19, completed carton 46, after beingfilled, is subsequently closed in the manner illustrated, the particulardetails of carton 46 and its closing means being the subject matter ofthe aforementioned co-pending patent application.

Pneumatic System As illustrated in the schematic diagram of FIGURE 35, asuitable source, not shown, of air pressure or the like isinterconnected to a manifold 206 of machine 48 by an inlet conduit 287,inlet conduit 287 having suitable air filters 2G8 and a pressureregulator valve 289.

Manifold 286 is interconnected to the pneumatically operated cylinderand piston arrangements 78 and 72 by a suitable conduit 210 whichbranches into two branch pipes 211 and 212 leading respectively topneumatic means 70 and 72.

Each of the pneumatic arrangements 154a and 15417 and their respectiveassociated hydraulic arrangements 160 and 160a are interconnected to themanifold 286 by conduits 213 and 214. Conduit 213 leads to a valve 215interconnected to opposite ends of the rotary cylinder and pistonarrangement 154a by branch conduits 216 and 217.

Similarly, the conduit 214 leads to a valve 218 interconnected toopposed ends of the rotary arrangement 15412 by conduits 219 and 228.

The index cylinder and piston arrangement 151 is interconnected to themanifold 206 by a conduit 221.

Pneumatic piston and cylinder arrangements 164a, 164b, 173a and 1735carried by mandrels 73 and 73a, support 138 thereof are allinterconnected to the manifold 206 by a conduit 222 leading to a rotaryvalve 223 interconnected in turn to the hollow shaft 139 carryingmandrel support means 138, the hollow shaft 139 being connected torespective cylinder and piston arrangements 164a, 164b, 173a and 1731')by branch conduits 224, 225, 226 and 227.

The pneumatic arrangements 188a and 18812 are interconnected to themanifold 286 by a conduit 228 branching ofi into conduits 229 and 231}leading respectively to the pneumatic piston and cylinder arrangements188a and 1881).

Rotary piston and cylinder arrangement 179 is interconnected to themanifold 286 by a conduit 231 leading to valve 232 which is, in turn,interconnected to opposite ends of the rotary arrangement 179 by branchconduits 233 and 234.

While the forms of piston and cylinder arrangements may vary as desired,in the embodiment illustrated in the drawings, the various pneumaticmeans are adapted to be operated in one direction by air pressure fromthe source and in the other direction by air pressure from the sourcewhereby it is necessary to provide actuating means for operating thepneumatic means in either of their operating positions.

Electrical System As illustrated in FIGURE 33, electrical current issupplied to the machine 49 by a suitable source, not shown, throughleads 235, 236 and 237, leads 235 and 236 being interconnected to oneside of a transformer 238.

Transformer 233 is a step-down transformer and has low voltage leads 239and 248 leading therefrom.

Leads 235 and 236 also lead to another step-down transformer 241, thetransformer 241 having step-down voltage leads 242 and 243 leadingtherefrom.

Take-off leads 244 and 245 lead respectively from leads 242 and 243 fora purpose hereinafter described.

Leads 242 and 243 are respectively interconnected to control panel 246and drive motor 124. Similarly, high voltage leads 235, 236 and 237 areinterconnected to the drive motor 124, feed motor 126, glue motor 136,vacuum purnp112 and adhesive setting unit motor 199 as illustrated inFIGURE 33.

Control panel 246 includes a master stop switch 247, a drive motor startswitch 248, a glue motor start switch 249, a vacuum pump motor startswitch 250, an adhesive 10 setting unit motor start switch 251, a drivemotor stop switch 252, a glue motor stop switch 253 and a drive motorjog switch 254.

The various switches 247-254 are appropriately interconnected withmotors 124, 126, 136, 112 and 199 in the manner illustrated to performthe specified functions thereof.

A pair of switches 255 and 256 is carried by the machine 40 and is solocated relative to mandrel 73 or 73a disposed adjacent feed unit 41that the same is normally open and prevents ope-ration of drive motor124 until the blank 45 has been properly positioned relative to mandrel73 or 73a.

A :j-am prevention switch 257 is provided and is provided for stoppingthe drive motor 124 should a blank become jammed in the feed unit 41.

As illustrated in FIGURE 34, leads 239 and 248 from the transformer 238lead to a bank of cam operated switches generally indicated by thenumeral 258 in FIG- URES 20B and 34. As illustrated in FIGURE 2013, ashaft 259 is interconnected to the shaft 147 of indexing gear boxthrough a suitable reducing gear train 268. Shaft 259 carries aplurality of spaced discs or switch actuating means 261-273, each switch261-273 having a pair of adjustable cam actuators 274 and 275 thereon.As the discs 261-273 rotate with shaft 259, the cams 274 and 275 thereofoperate switches in a desired sequence in a manner hereinafterdescribed.

As illustrated in FIGURE 34, the leads 244 and 245 from the transformer241, FIGURE 33, are so connected that lead 244 is respectively connectedto one side of two solenoids 276 and 277 by branch leads 278 and 279.The other side of solenoids 276 and 277 are respectively connected tothe lead 245 by leads 280 and 281, the leads 288 and 281 respectivelyhaving normally open switches 282 and 283 therein positioned relative tothe switch actuating means 261 in the manner illustrated in FIGURE 34.

Solenoids 27 6 and 277 respectively actuate a valve 284 interconnectingthe vacuum pump 112 with the suction cup like cups 111 of the feedingunit 41.

Thus, when the switch actuating means 261 closes the switch 283, thesolenoid 277 is actuated to interconnect vacuum source 112 to suctioncups 111 to grip a blank 45 therewith. When switch 282 is actuated bythe switch actuating means 261, the solenoid 276 is actuated anddisconnects vacuum source 112 from suction cups 111 whereby the blank 45can be fed into the machine 40.

Switch actuating means 262 is adapted to actuate two switches 285 and286, the switch 285 normally being closed and switch 286 normally beingopen. Switch 286 interconnects a lead 287 to the lead 289 and, thus, oneside of the pneumatic cylinder and piston arrangement 72 to the lead239. The other side of the arrangement 72 is interconnetced to the lead239 by a lead 288. Thus, when switch 286 is closed, the glue applicatorroll 71 is raised to its up position. Glue applicator roll 71 is loweredwhen a switch 289 in lead 288 is closed whereby glue applicator roll 71applies glue to blank 45 being fed through the machine 48, the switch289 being tripped by a particular surface of blank 45 passing throughthe machine 40 in a manner well known in the art.

The pneumatic cylinder and piston arrangement 70 has one side thereofinterconnected to lead 239 by a lead 290 and the other sideinterconnected to the lead 239 by a lead 291, leads 290 and 291respectively having normally open switches 292 and 293 therein.

Thus, when switch actuating means 263 is rotated and one of the cams274-275 thereof closes the switch 292, the arrangement 70, FIGURE 4,moves the shaft 68 downwardly to form a means for feeding the blank 45into the machine 40. When switch 293 is closed by switch actuating means263, the arrangement 70 raises

1. AUTOMATIC APPARATUS FOR FORMING AN ERECTED MULTIPLY CARTON FROM AFLAT BLANK HAVING A FIRST GROUP OF EDGEJOINED PANELS INCLUDING A FIRSTROW OF EDGE-JOINED PANELS FOLDABLE TO DEFINE CIRCUMFERENTIALLYCONTINUOUS INNER SIDE WALLS OF SAID CARTON, A SECOND GROUP OFEDGE-JOINED PANELS INCLUDING A SECOND ROW OF EDGE-JOINED PANELSSUBSTANTIALLY PARALLEL TO AND SPACED FROM SAID FIRST ROW OF PANELS ANDFOLDABLE OVER AND AROUND SAID FIRST ROW OF PANELS TO DEFINECIRCUMFERENTIALLY CONTINUOUS OUTER SIDE WALLS OF SAID CARTON, A FIRSTBOTTOM PANEL EXTENDING BETWEEN AND CONNECTED AT OPPOSITE SIDES THEREOFTO A SIDE OF ONE OF THE PANELS OF EACH OF SAID ROWS OF PANELS, AND APAIR OF ADDITONAL BOTTOM PANELS ONE ADJACENT EACH SIDE OF SAID FIRSTBOTTOM PANEL AND FOLDABLE TO OVERLIE THE INNER SURFACE OF SAID FIRSTBOTTOM PANEL TO REINFORCE THE SAME, SAID APPARATUS COMPRISING: AT LEASTONE MANDREL MEMBER OF RECTANGULAR CROSS SECTION CORRESPONDING IN SIZEAND SHAPE TO THE INNER DIMENSIONS OF SAID CARTON, MEANS FOR SWINGINGSAID MANDREL MEMBER THROUGH AN ARC OF 360*, MEANS FOR ARRESTING MOVEMENTOF SAID MANDREL MEMBER AT RELATIVELY WIDELY SPACED POINTS IN THESWINGING MOVEMENT THEREOF, MEANS FOR POSITIONING A CARTON BLANK FORCOINCIDENT-MARGIN ENGAGEMENT OF A PANEL OF SAID FIRST ROW OF PANELS BY ASIDE FACE OF SAID MANDREL MEMBER, MEANS FOR WRAPPING THE OTHER PANELS OFSAID FIRST ROW OF PANELS AROUND THE OTHER FACES OF SAID MANDREL MEMBER,MEANS FOR TEMPORARILY HOLDING SAID FIRST ROW OF PANELS IN EMBRACINGCONTACT WITH SAID MANDREL MEMBER, MEANS FOR FOLDING SAID ADDITIONALBOTTOM PANELS OVER THE FREE END SAID OF MANDREL MEMBER, TROUGHLIKE MEANSPOSITIONED BESIDE AND ALONG THE PATH OF TRAVEL OF SAID MANDREL MEMBER ASTHE LATTER MOVES BETWEEN CERTAIN OF SAID WIDELY SPACED POINTS, SAIDTROUGHLIKE MEANS BEING PROGRESSIVELY CONSTRICTED TO FOLD AND PRESS SAIDFIRST BOTTOM PANEL OVER AND AGAINST SAID ADDITIONAL BOTTOM PANELS ANDTHEN FOLD AND PRESS MEDIAL PANELS OF SAID SECOND ROW OF PANELS OVER ANDAGAINST SAID FIRST ROW OF PANELS, MEANS FOR FOLDING THE END PANELS OFSAID SECOND ROW OF PANELS AGAINST A MEDIAL PANEL OF SAID FIRST ROW OFPANELS, AND MEANS FOR REMOVING THE THUS FORMED CARTON FROM SAID MANDRELMEMBER.